Media Resources

Just click on the title of any book to get purchasing information. For each book purchased by following links from our site, 100fires.com will contribute 10% of the purchase price to ReclaimDemocracy.org. To find an independent bookstore near you visit booksense.com.

BOOKS

Corporations & Democracy

The People's Business
by Charlie Cray and Lee Drutman
Focusing on the U.S., the authors provide a thorough analysis of corporate corruption of democracy and analyze multiple strategies for reform. A dense, rewarding read.
The Populist Moment: A Short History of the Agrarian Revolt in America

by Lawrence Goodwyn
The last structurally-focused challenge to corporate dominance came in the 1880s and 1890s. We have much to learn from both the Populists' successes and failures. Highly recommended for activists.
Overruling Democracy

by Jamin Raskin
Law Professor Raskin explores how the Constitution has been turned against citizens and justice in recent history and explores constitutional solutions to the Supreme Court's actions. Read capsule review
Gangs of America
by Ted Nace
Gangs provides rich historical detail about the growth of corporate power in the U.S. and the process by which corporations gained "personhood."
Read NY Times review
When Corporations Rule the World

by David Korten.
Korten offers a thorough, well-reasoned, and accessible analysis of the global corporate and financial system from an insider in the financial world.
Read capsule review
Unequal Protection

by Thom Hartmann
Traces the evolution of "corporate personhood," and offers new insights even to those already familiar with corporate history. Read our review
The Case Against the Global Economy, and for a Turn Toward the Local

Jerry Mander, ed.
A superb, diverse collection of essays by leading activists around the world.
Sam Smith's Great American Political Repair Manual

by Sam Smith.
Self-descriptive. Smith defies categorization under conventional labels while offering un-common sense solutions to many societal challenges.
The Open Media Series from 7 Stories Press

30 titles offer focused, concise introductions to specific issues, many directly related to the struggle between democracy & corporate power. For a list of titles see Seven Stories Press
The Divine Right of Capital

by Marjorie Kelly.
Kelly makes a provocative case for the need to challenge the supremacy of wealth in the corporate structure.
Defying Corporations, Defining Democracy

Edited by Dean Ritz. A collection of essays on democracy movement strategies from several writers. Buy it online from our merchandise page for $18.

The Corporate Policy Center lists more than 100 titles in this realm with brief reviews.

Community, Independent Business & Development

Big-Box Swindle: The True Cost of Mega-Retailers and the Fight for America's Independent Businesses

by Stacy Mitchell (2006).
The definitive read for anyone concerned about independent businesses, communities, and how to prevent corporate chains from displacing locals.
This title can be ordered online from our merchandise page.

Making A Place for Community

by Williamson, Alperovitz and Imbroscio (2003)
A far-reaching and extensively researched exploration of politics, economics and strategies for localization that excels at linking economic democracy to political democracy. Read capsule review.
America Beyond Capitalism (2004) by Gar Alperovitz also is recommended.
Going Local

by Michael Shuman (1998)
Shuman offers an engaging look at the alternatives to community dependence on outside corporations.
Changing Places

by Richard Moe & Carter Wilkie, and Home From Nowhere by J.H. Kunstler are recommended explorations of community, sprawl, homogenization and community-centered alternatives.

Corporations & Education

Rethinking Globalization
An outstanding resource for parents and educators
Available online from our merchandise page ( $20)
Schools Our Children Deserve, Education Inc., and What to Look For in a Classroom

Alfie Kohn, ed.
The first title covers the dangers posed by high-stakes testing schemes and their pushers. The latter two are collections of short essays. Education Inc. compiles many writers and is directly focused on corporate influence.
Giving Kids the Business

by Alex Molnar
Molnar examines the corporate push to commercialize our schools. The book is a bit scattered, but a good exploration of the topic.

Media & Public Relations

Rich Media, Poor Democracy

by Robert McChesney
Recent trends in media concentration and its effects on democracy.
Toxic Sludge is Good For You

by John Stauber and Sheldon Rampton
This guide to the "PR" (public relations) industry explores the tactics corporations use to manipulate public opinion.
We the Media

by Don Hazen and Julie Winokur. Facts, commentary, ideas and resources from many leading journalists on the current state of media and suggestions for improvement.
The Media Monopoly

by Ben Bagdikian
This regularly updated classic documents the extent of media concentration, including internet and telecommunications.

Civil Liberties & Miscellaneous

Terrorism and the Constitution

by James X. Dempsey & David Cole
Analyzes the historical tendency of government to seize power and suppress our civil rights in times of war or conflict and the false premise of enhancing security through repression. Read capsule review
The Real War on Crime

Steven Donzieger, ed.
How the fear of crime, rather than crime itself, shapes criminal justice policy. Also covers the prison-industrial complex.
No Logo

Naomi Klein examines the rise of branding and corporate impact on our culture.

*Any of the several readers on economics published by "Dollars and Sense" including Real World Macroeconomics and Real World Microeconomics Call them at (617) 628-8411 for details.

Documentary Films

Independent America

This award-winning documentary follows the travels of two journalists as they explore the battle between hometown businesses and transnational chains. Includes interviews with ReclaimDemocracy.org staff. Available in 52 or 80 minute edits. This title can be ordered online from our merchandise page.

The Corporation

The feature documentary analyzes the nature of the corporate institution, its impacts on our planet, and what people are doing in response. Read a review of "The Corporation."

Fear and Favor in the Newsroom

Beth Sanders offers thorough and convincing first-hand accounts of how corporate media constricts the free flow of ideas and information on which democracy depends. Outstanding. 1 hour.

The Take

Near Buenos Aires, thirty unemployed auto-parts workers walk into their idle factory, roll out sleeping mats, and refuse to leave. All they want is to re-start the silent machines. This simple act is an inspiring and compelling story of citizens claiming power.

Global Village or Global Pillage

Jeremy Brecher shows constructive ways that ordinary people are addressing the impacts of global corporatization. 27 min.